Finland

Cultural Attributes

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Holidays

• Independence Day

  12/6

  Independence Day

  Independence day is usually celebrated at home where Finns ligh candles to honor the heroes of independence.

• Vappu

  5/1

  Other

  Vappu is also known as May Day.

• Christmas

  12/25

  Christmas

  Joulua (Christmas) season begins with the Advent season. Decorations in the shops include Advent candles, Advent wreaths, Advent calendars and additional lights helping to fill the long winter nights with light. Finland celebrates St Lucia’s Day on December 13th, a tradition they learned from Sweden.

  Christmas trees are put up a few days before Christmas Eve and are decorated with candles, miniatures of the national flag, himmeli (straw mobiles), and paper and wood ornaments.

  Christmas Eve officially starts with the “Peace of Christmas” a ceremony that is televised throughout Finland and Sweden at Noon on Christmas Eve Day. The broadcast originates from Turku, Finland’s former capital which is also referred to as Finland’s Christmas city. From the balcony of Brinkkala Mansion in the Old Great Square, a public official reads a medieval document which orders all citizens to maintain peace during the Christmas season or face criminal charges. At sundown families place candles and wreathes on the graves of ancestors. Children also receive gifts from Joulupukki (Father Christmas) who arrives dressed similar to Santa Claus and asks “Are there any good children here?” Father Christmas lives with wife, reindeer, and his elves atop Mount Korvatunturi in the eastern region of Finland.

  The Christmas Eve meal follows the distribution of gifts and includes salmon, ham, herring, lutefisk (codfish), assorted casseroles, liver pâté, mixed fruit soup with cinnamon, joululeipä (Christmas Bread), joulutortut (Christmas Fruit Pastry), piparkakut (ginger cookies), korvapuustit (cinnamon buns), glögg (a warmed spiced drink composed of red wine, sugar, raisins, cinnamon, cloves, orange pealing and almonds), and the traditional holiday dish of rice porridge with one almond in the batch. The person who receives the almond in their serving will have good luck in the coming year.

  Christmas Day is devoted to attending church services with family and enjoying family time at home.

Dates of Interest

• December 25th

  Joulua (Christmas) season begins with the Advent season. Decorations in the shops include Advent candles, Advent wreaths, Advent calendars and additional lights helping to fill the long winter nights with light. Finland celebrates St Lucia's Day on December 13th, a tradition they learned from Sweden. Christmas trees are put up a few days before Christmas Eve and are decorated with candles, miniatures of the national flag, himmeli (straw mobiles), and paper and wood ornaments. Christmas Eve officially starts with the "Peace of Christmas," a ceremony that is televised throughout Finland and Sweden at Noon on Christmas Eve Day. The broadcast originates from Turku, Finland's former capital which is also referred to as Finland's Christmas city. From the balcony of Brinkkala Mansion in the Old Great Square, a public official reads a medieval document which orders all citizens to maintain peace during the Christmas season.

How do people greet each other in Finland?

What are dining customs like in Finland?

What should I know about Finnish etiquette and attitudes?

How should I dress in Finland?

What is family life like in Finland?

What do people do for fun in Finland?

Historical Eras

Overview

Timeline of Key Events

1. 100 – 400

   Migrations to Finland from southern Baltic .

   Migrations to Finland from southern Baltic.

2. 800 – 1100

   The Viking Age

   Swedish Vikings established trade ties with Russia via Finland.

3. 1150

   Swedish led crusades to southwestern Finland; converted Finns to Christianity .

   Swedish led crusades to southwestern Finland; converted Finns to Christianity.

4. 1155 – 1809

   Finland incorporated into Kingdom of Sweden

   Finland incorporated into Kingdom of Sweden .

5. 1238 – 1249

   Second crusade to Tavasita by Swedes

   Second crusade to Tavasita by Swedes.

6. 1293

   Third Crusade by Swedes to eastern Finland

   Third Crusade by Swedes to eastern Finland; established dividing line between Catholic West and Orthodox East.

7. 1323

   Peace treaty of Pähkinäsaari signed.

   Peace treaty of Pähkinäsaari signed. Territory of present-day Finland becomes part of the Swedish realm

Religion

Languages Spoken

• Finnish
• Swedish

Population

Population

5,626,414

Population in Major Urban Areas

HELSINKI (capital) 1.134 million

Nationality Noun

Finn(s)

Ethnic Groups

Finn 93%, Swede 6%, Sami 0.11%, Roma 0.12%, Tatar 0.02%

Language Note

The Finnish people take great pride in their language.  Through the years they have resisted other nation's attempts to impose their language on them. Over 93% of the population speaks Finnish, a Finnish-Ugric language coming from a language family different from Scandinavian languages. It is closely related to Estonian. Finland recognizes Sami, the tongue of the indigenous minority Sami. English is popular as a second language. Swedish is the second official language, spoken by 6% of the population.  Finnish is a hard language to learn because the same word is used for "he" and "she" and the articles "a" and "the" are rarely used.

Education

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth

Finland consistently ranks among the top countries in the world for life expectancy, reflecting the nation's strong public health infrastructure, high standard of living, and comprehensive social welfare system. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in Finland is approximately 82 years overall, with women living to around 84–85 years and men to approximately 79–80 years. This gender gap, while notable, has been narrowing steadily over recent decades due to sustained improvements in men's health outcomes. Several factors contribute to Finland's impressive longevity statistics. The country operates a universal healthcare system that provides residents with access to preventive care, early disease detection, and high-quality medical treatment regardless of income. Finland also invests heavily in public health education and has made significant strides in reducing cardiovascular disease, which was historically one of the leading causes of premature death among Finnish men during the mid-20th century. Targeted public health campaigns beginning in the 1970s — most notably the North Karelia Project — dramatically reduced smoking rates and improved dietary habits, contributing to a sharp and sustained decline in heart disease mortality over subsequent decades. Finland's relatively low rates of poverty, strong environmental protections, clean air and water, and a culture that values physical activity — including widespread participation in outdoor pursuits such as Nordic skiing, hiking, and swimming — all play important roles in supporting longer, healthier lives. The country also maintains low levels of occupational hazards and has robust workplace safety regulations. Life expectancy in Finland has increased by more than 20 years since the mid-20th century and continues to trend upward, consistent with broader patterns seen across Nordic countries. While Finland faces some ongoing public health challenges — including alcohol consumption rates that have historically exceeded the European Union average, as well as mental health concerns among younger populations — continued policy efforts and a well-funded health system position the country to maintain and build upon its already strong longevity outcomes in the decades ahead.

Infant Mortality Rate

Finland maintains one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, reflecting the country's exceptional healthcare infrastructure, high standard of living, and long-standing commitment to maternal and child health. As of the most recent available data, Finland's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 2 to 3 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it consistently among the top-performing nations globally in this measure. This remarkable outcome is the result of decades of investment in public health services. Finland's universal healthcare system ensures that prenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal support are accessible to all residents regardless of income. The country's network of maternity clinics, known locally as neuvolat, has been a cornerstone of Finnish child health policy since the 1940s. These clinics provide free, regular health checkups for expectant mothers and newborns, monitoring development and addressing health concerns early. Finland also benefits from very high rates of hospital deliveries, nearly 100 percent, and a well-trained medical workforce. Neonatal intensive care capabilities are advanced, ensuring that premature and low-birth-weight infants receive timely and effective treatment. Socioeconomic factors further support these outcomes. Finland has low poverty rates, strong gender equality, high levels of maternal education, and generous parental leave policies that allow parents to focus on infant care during critical early months. The country also has very low rates of teenage pregnancy, which is statistically associated with higher infant health risks. Comparatively, Finland's infant mortality rate is significantly below the global average of approximately 27 deaths per 1,000 live births and even below the average for high-income countries. It consistently ranks alongside Iceland, Japan, Norway, and Singapore as countries with the safest environments for newborns. Finland's success in this area serves as a model for global health policy, demonstrating that a combination of universal healthcare access, preventive care infrastructure, and strong social support systems can virtually eliminate preventable infant deaths.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth

Finland consistently ranks among the top countries in the world for life expectancy, reflecting the nation's strong public health infrastructure, high standard of living, and comprehensive social welfare system. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in Finland is approximately 82 years overall, with women living to around 84–85 years and men to approximately 79–80 years. This gender gap, while notable, has been narrowing steadily over recent decades due to sustained improvements in men's health outcomes. Several factors contribute to Finland's impressive longevity statistics. The country operates a universal healthcare system that provides residents with access to preventive care, early disease detection, and high-quality medical treatment regardless of income. Finland also invests heavily in public health education and has made significant strides in reducing cardiovascular disease, which was historically one of the leading causes of premature death among Finnish men during the mid-20th century. Targeted public health campaigns beginning in the 1970s — most notably the North Karelia Project — dramatically reduced smoking rates and improved dietary habits, contributing to a sharp and sustained decline in heart disease mortality over subsequent decades. Finland's relatively low rates of poverty, strong environmental protections, clean air and water, and a culture that values physical activity — including widespread participation in outdoor pursuits such as Nordic skiing, hiking, and swimming — all play important roles in supporting longer, healthier lives. The country also maintains low levels of occupational hazards and has robust workplace safety regulations. Life expectancy in Finland has increased by more than 20 years since the mid-20th century and continues to trend upward, consistent with broader patterns seen across Nordic countries. While Finland faces some ongoing public health challenges — including alcohol consumption rates that have historically exceeded the European Union average, as well as mental health concerns among younger populations — continued policy efforts and a well-funded health system position the country to maintain and build upon its already strong longevity outcomes in the decades ahead.

Infant Mortality Rate

Finland maintains one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, reflecting the country's exceptional healthcare infrastructure, high standard of living, and long-standing commitment to maternal and child health. As of the most recent available data, Finland's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 2 to 3 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it consistently among the top-performing nations globally in this measure. This remarkable outcome is the result of decades of investment in public health services. Finland's universal healthcare system ensures that prenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal support are accessible to all residents regardless of income. The country's network of maternity clinics, known locally as neuvolat, has been a cornerstone of Finnish child health policy since the 1940s. These clinics provide free, regular health checkups for expectant mothers and newborns, monitoring development and addressing health concerns early. Finland also benefits from very high rates of hospital deliveries, nearly 100 percent, and a well-trained medical workforce. Neonatal intensive care capabilities are advanced, ensuring that premature and low-birth-weight infants receive timely and effective treatment. Socioeconomic factors further support these outcomes. Finland has low poverty rates, strong gender equality, high levels of maternal education, and generous parental leave policies that allow parents to focus on infant care during critical early months. The country also has very low rates of teenage pregnancy, which is statistically associated with higher infant health risks. Comparatively, Finland's infant mortality rate is significantly below the global average of approximately 27 deaths per 1,000 live births and even below the average for high-income countries. It consistently ranks alongside Iceland, Japan, Norway, and Singapore as countries with the safest environments for newborns. Finland's success in this area serves as a model for global health policy, demonstrating that a combination of universal healthcare access, preventive care infrastructure, and strong social support systems can virtually eliminate preventable infant deaths.

Country Identity

Country Name

Finland

Full Country Name

Republic of Finland

Local - Long

Suomen Tasavalta

Local - Short

Suomi

Government Structure

Government Type

republic

Legal System

civil law system based on Swedish law; Supreme Court may request legislation interpreting or modifying laws; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Alexander STUBB (since 1 March 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Petteri ORPO (since 20 June 2023) and Deputy Prime Minister Riikka PURRA (since 20 June 2023) cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to parliament elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-year term; election last held 28 January 2024, with a runoff on 11 February 2024 (next to be held in 2030); the president appoints the prime minister from the majority party or majority coalition following parliamentary elections, subject to approval by parliament election results: percent of vote in first round - Alexander STUBB (Kok) 27.2%, Pekka HAAVISTO (Vihr) 25.8%, Jussi HALLA-AHO (PS) 19.0%, Olli REHN (Kesk) 15.3%; runoff held 11 February 2024 - STUBB 51.6%, HAAVISTO 48.4% note: government coalition - Kok, PS, RKP/SFP, and KD

Legislative Branch

Unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve four-year terms) Elections: last held 2 April 2023 (next to be held in April 2027) Election results: percent of vote by party - NCP 20.8%, PS 20.1%, SDP 19.9%, Kesk 11.3%, Vihr 6.3%, Vas 7.1%, SFP 4.3%, KD 4.2%; seats by party - NCP 48, PS 46, SDP 43, Kesk 23, Vas 11, Vihr 13, SFP 10, KD 5, other 1

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (judges appointed by the president)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Constitution

1-Mar-00

Independence

6 December 1917 (from Russia)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 6 December (1917)

Capital City

Capital Name

Helsinki

Capital - geographic coordinate

60 10 N, 24 56 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Military

Branches: Finnish Defense Forces (FDF): Army (Puolustusvoimat), Navy (Merivoimat; includes Coastal Defense Forces), Air Force (Ilmavoimat)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code

Euro (EUR)

GDP — official exchange rate

$184,200,000,000 (USD)

GDP Real Growth Rate

1.6%

Gini Index

26.9